radix rubiae

Radix rubiae is the dried root of Rubia cordifolia L., commonly known as madder root or Qian Cao Gen in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is classified as an herb that regulates blood and stops bleeding (hemostatic), with additional actions to invigorate blood circulation and dispel blood stasis. The main traditional indications include various types of bleeding due to "blood heat" (such as nosebleeds, hematuria, uterine bleeding), pain from blood stasis (chest/flank pain, amenorrhea due to stagnation), traumatic injuries with pain and swelling, joint pain from wind-damp obstruction syndrome (arthritis/rheumatism), chronic cough with chest pain due to liver fire attacking the lungs, and skin disorders. Phytochemically, radix rubiae contains anthraquinones such as mollugin and furomollugin which are believed responsible for its anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities[6][5]. Other reported effects include antimicrobial activity; hepatoprotective; antioxidant; immunomodulatory; hypotensive; analgesic; antimalarial; antifungal properties[5][7]. In both TCM and Ayurveda it is used for gynecological conditions like dysmenorrhea or uterine hemorrhage. Topical uses include promoting wound healing or treating skin conditions such as psoriasis[5][7]. The mechanism of action is not fully elucidated but includes inhibition of inflammatory mediators (e.g., NF-kappaB pathway) based on preclinical studies[8], antioxidant effects via scavenging free radicals[5], possible modulation of immune responses[7], hemostatic effect by cooling the blood according to TCM theory[1][4].

Other names

madder rootrubia rootheart-leaf madder rootindia madder rootqian cao genqiancao